Embattled Ogun Assembly Speaker, 2 others get bail

Embattled Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo has been granted bail in the sum of N300m with two sureties in like sum by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.

On Monday, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed an 11 count charge against Mr Oluomo, the Clerk of the House, Adedeji Adeyemo, and the Accountant, Oludayo Samuel.

Adeyanju-Nimota Amoke, a fourth suspect, is still at large and is thought to be the former Accountant of the House.

The allegations against the speaker and the other three defendants were brought before the Federal High Court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, by Rotimi Oyedepo, the head of the EFCC’s Lagos Legal Monitoring Unit.

Recall that the Speaker was earlier arrested on Thursday morning at the Lagos Airport for alleged fraud and was taken to Abuja where he was detained. However, the speaker was freed late on Friday night with a directive to report back on Monday.

The Speaker was reportedly detained again on Monday upon his return to the EFCC headquarters. As at 9:43 p.m Monday night, the speaker, and two other individuals were said to still be in the custody of the EFCC.

READ ALSO: Ogun Assembly speaker, Oluomo, 2 others face fraud charges

The counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Rotimi Oyedepo had told the court that he would leave the issue of bail solely within the discretion of the court.

The counsel to the Speaker, Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), on his part asked the court to allow his client to bail on liberal terms.

In granting bail to the Speaker, Justice Osiagor held that one of his sureties must be not less than a level 16 officer in the Civil Service while the other must possess landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.

The court granted the second and third defendant bail in the sum of N100m with two sureties also in like sum.

One of their sureties must not be less than a level 14 Officer in the Civil Service. The other must also possess landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.

All the sureties are to possess three-year tax clearance and swear to an affidavit of means.

All defendants are also to deposit their travel documents with the registrar of the court.

Pending when they meet their bail conditions, the defendants will be remanded in the custody of the EFCC for a week after which they will be transferred to the Abeokuta Division of the court for further orders on their remand.